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US 10,239,643 B2Granted
Rigid holding container with breachable perimeter bubble
AssigneePopPack, LLC
InventorsWilliam S. Perell, Leif B. Sorensen
Life of this patent
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AssigneePopPack, LLC
InventorsWilliam S. Perell, Leif B. Sorensen
Estimating the term…
A rigid holding container has a flexible cover sheet extending over the holding area for sealing the contents. The container has a wide, flat perimeter lip which provides a firm base for the seal between the cover sheet and the container. A breaching bubble is formed in the seal, under the cover and over the perimeter lip. The consumer breaches the bubble by pressing the bubble against the lip between the thumb and forefinger. The pressure compresses the air in the bubble causing the bubble to expand laterally. The expanding bubble breaches along the perimeter of the lip, producing a peel flap of flexible cover material. The consumer pulls the peel flap while holding the rigid container down, to remove the cover sheet.
A process for producing a package comprising:
A process for producing a package comprising:
A process for producing a package comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
For making containers from preformed blanks: for making trays
Producing hollow articles: containers for packaging, storing or transporting, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, barrels, tanks
Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers: evacuating,…
One sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil: and forming one compartment
About 5 years 7 months of term left · ends 24 May 2032 (estimated)
Thermo-formed plastic containers are used to hold many different items and products. Such containers, for instance, are used to hold food items including meal ready-to-eat (“MRE”) rations, medical products, and various general merchandise. In some applications, the containers may be vacuum packaged in a sealed container containing a reduced pressure environment.
In one embodiment, the thermo-formed container may comprise a rigid, molded base that is sealed around the perimeter to a clear plastic film. Such containers, for instance, are used to package sliced lunch meats. Such containers, however, can be difficult to open. The containers, for instance, typically include a frayed corner where the rigid base has been partially separated from the plastic film top. In order to open the container, a user can grasp the plastic film in the corner and peel the film away from the rigid base.
Unfortunately, difficulties can arise in attempting to separate the two parts of the container. These problems can become more enhanced in operating rooms where technicians are attempting to open the package wearing gloves. In addition, the frayed corner can provide a space for collecting or harboring contaminants, such as microorganisms, in between the plastic film and the rigid base prior to opening.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a container made in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1;
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.
In general, the present disclosure is directed to a sealed container having an improved opening mechanism. In one embodiment, the container includes a rigid base that is sealed along at least one side to a film. The film can be transparent or translucent so that one can view the contents of the container. In an alternative embodiment, the film can be opaque, especially when the contents are light sensitive. In still another embodiment, the film can be printed with a design or text and can be made to include transparent or translucent sections in addition to opaque sections. In accordance with the present disclosure, the container further includes a breathable bubble located in between the film and the rigid base. By breaching the bubble, a portion of the film and the rigid base separate allowing a user to peel the film away from the rigid base to open the container.